Southern California -- this just in

Bike Week LA marked with ride from Union Station to Convention Center

May 18, 2011 | 8:51
am

A downtown L.A. bike ride starting at Union Station and ending at the Los Angeles Convention Center Wednesday is part of Bike Week LA, a series of events meant to encourage people to ride their bikes to and from work.

The program has been organized for the last 12 years by Metro, the operator of bus and rail service for L.A. County.

Good Samaritan Hospital hosted a blessing of the bikes Tuesday that included breakfast and a free bike check.

On Bike to Work Day Thursday, cyclists will get free rides on Metro buses and trains.

Recently, Metro repealed restrictions for taking bicycles aboard trains during peak hours to encourage more cyclists to use the system.

“It makes it easy for them to use public transit, and that’s our goal,” said Metro spokesman Jose Ubaldo. “One percent of all trips in L.A. County are made by bicyclists. We want to double that number.”

Photos: Cyclists gathered at Union Station on Wednesday morning and then pedaled to the Los Angeles Convention Center as part of Bike Week LA, a series of events meant to encourage people to ride their bikes to and from work. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times